The Epping Ongar Railway has announced that it has received £98,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The funding will be used to adapt the railway’s carriages, the till systems to allow for a cashless process, and new waiting areas for visitors.

Some of the grant will also be used to pay for the railway’s overheads whilst it is closed for the winter.

The grant will, therefore, make sure that the railway will be ready for the 2021 season having made suitable adaptions.

The Epping Ongar Railway joins the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, the Amberley Museum and Beamish in announcing grants.

Dean Walton, General Manager said: “Everyone has faced a tough time over the past few months. The support from the fund will provide us with the cash we need to get us over the winter and plan for 2021. We aim to reopen in April 2021 with relevant modifications to ensure a safe and commercially viable future for our Railway.“

Derek Knowles, leading the installation of the partitions, said “With these partitions being installed by the Railway’s volunteers the passengers will be able to travel safely but still enjoy the heritage coaches.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial.  Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live.  All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time.

“Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet.  But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”

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